A group of Republican lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives has formally introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), a legislative proposal aimed at expanding U.S. oversight of religious freedom conditions and security challenges in Nigeria.
Sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) and co-sponsored by Representatives including Chris Smith (R-NJ), Brian Mast (R-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), and Bill Huizenga (R-MI), the bill was referred on February 10, 2026, to the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees for review.
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Representative Riley Moore
Core Provisions of the Bill
The legislation, if enacted, would require the U.S. Department of State to submit an annual comprehensive report to Congress detailing American diplomatic and policy efforts to address what sponsors describe as religious persecution and mass atrocities against Christian communities in Nigeria.
Key elements include:
Targeted Sanctions: The bill calls for consideration of visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals or entities alleged to be responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.
Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Review: It directs the Secretary of State to assess whether certain armed groups including those described as Fulani-ethnic militias meet the criteria to be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under U.S. law.
Humanitarian Aid: The bill proposes that the United States deliver humanitarian assistance potentially co-funded with the Nigerian government through trusted civil society and faith-based organisations to affected communities.
Assistance Review: A mandated review of U.S. foreign assistance to Nigeria would examine whether existing aid inadvertently contributes to or fails to curb persecution.
Sponsors argue the bill reinforces U.S. support for religious freedom globally and signals solidarity with vulnerable communities. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole said the proposal reflects both moral imperatives and core American interests.
Context: U.S. Legislative and Policy Background
The Nigeria bill builds on existing U.S. law and past actions regarding religious freedom abroad:
The International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998 provides the statutory framework for the U.S. to monitor and respond to violations of religious liberty worldwide, including the designation of Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs).
In late 2025, Nigeria was redesignated by the U.S. executive branch as a Country of Particular Concern for severe violations of religious freedom a policy tool that allows for diplomatic engagement and potential sanctions.
Proponents of the new bill describe it as a way to deepen accountability and transparency in U.S.–Nigeria relations on religious freedom, particularly in regions where communal conflict and armed violence have affected local populations.
Security Landscape in Nigeria
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges with overlapping drivers, including:
Insurgency: Islamist extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) remain active in the northeast, prompting Nigerian and international counter-terrorism efforts.
Communal Clashes: Clashes between farmers and herders, often involving groups identifying as Fulani, have contributed to violence and insecurity in central states.
Government Position: Nigerian authorities assert that the country’s security challenges are complex and affect people of different faiths and backgrounds, rejecting claims of state-sponsored religious persecution.
In early 2026, Nigerian and U.S. officials reaffirmed cooperation on security, including the deployment of a contingent of U.S. personnel to Nigeria to provide training and technical assistance to Nigerian forces a non-combat mission aimed at enhancing counter-terrorism capacity.
Reactions and Diplomatic Considerations
The bill has already prompted varied responses:
Supporters argue it strengthens international scrutiny and reinforces protections for religious minorities.
Critics caution that equating communal violence solely with religious persecution may oversimplify Nigeria’s complex security dynamics and could affect bilateral relations.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) publicly rejected reports that the legislation targets its national leader, describing such actions as unfair.
Nigeria’s federal government has not issued an official public position on the legislation, and diplomatic channels continue to engage on broader security cooperation.
What’s Next
The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 must advance through relevant House committees before it can reach the floor for debate. If passed by the House, it would then require consideration in the U.S. Senate and eventual presidential approval.
Observers say the bill’s progress will be watched closely in Abuja and Washington alike, as it reflects broader global debates about religious freedom, security assistance, and the balance between diplomatic pressure and partnership.